Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-04-14
Lutz Bros Brewing Company
A Large and Prosperous Establish
ment.

Among the concerns that have built
up large local trade in these two cities
is the enterprising firm of Lutz Bros,
in the manufacture of Lager Beer.
October 18th, 1870, they came to our
city and bought out what was then
known as Nicholas Schmidt's brewery.
They have improved this property until
now they have one of the largest and
best breweries in Northern Wisconsin.
From the comparatively small trade
that was had in Mr. Schmidt's time, has
steadily grown the business of the pres
ent company, that is SO large and
constantly increasing.
The brewery is nicely located on the
East bank of what is known as Rablin's
mill pond, on high elevation of
ground. The premises proper, occupy
several acres of land on which is a
dwelling house two stories high 2Ox52 #,
and wing 16x28 #; with summer kitchen
and woodshed; four ice houses with Is
foot posts, as follows: Two 1Sx34 it.,
one 16x40 ft, and one 16x30 #, capable
of holding 225 cords. Under each ice
house they have cellar room capable Of
holding 400 barrels of beer. The brew
house is two stories high 28x52 #. Boil
er house 16x24 #. The buildings are
large and substantial, and advantageous
ly situated and connected. A visit
through this brewery Will convince one
that everything is complete, labor saving
and furnished with the most approved
facilities, from the time the barley goes
into the bin to be elevated for the var
ious processes. The Growing floors, :"
or where the root of the barley is
sprouted, are perfect in finish and
ample in extent for the demand made
upon them. From here the drying kiln
with its high temperature maintained
by wood furnace was next reached
and the process explained to us. The
wash house and racking department
was on the lower floor next to the river
where water is handy and plenty of it,
Here, also is situated the new engine
and boiler lately purchased from parties
at Stevens Point. We were shown
through the different cellars noted
above where many large barrels of the
beverage are stored. Every depart
ment impresses the visitor that order
and system is required in this line of
business as we'll as others to be success
tul. Seven men are constantly employ
ed the year round besides the
proprietors and immediate members of
the family. The capacity of the brew
cry is 1900 barrels annually. To
accomplish this it requires the purchase
of 5000 bushels of barley.
While our temperance principles
prohibited us from sampling the bever-
age, we have it from those who pretend
to know that the beverage distilled at
this brewery viii compare with the
best, not excepting the noted Milwau-
kee beer.
In connection with their brewery
establishment this company are inter
ested on a small scale in raising stock.
A short distance from the brewery they
have large horse barn 40x44 #, with
under stalls enough to accommodate "A
head of cattle. On the upper floor they
have large commodious feed room
and stalls enough for six horses. A
well of spring water is one of the con-
veniences in this barn.
The COW barn is 12x90 #, half of which
is used for pigs. They keep for breed
ing purposes 3 Holstein and Jersey
cows. They now have rs head, % of
which were sold to DAILY Bros the past
week. They also sold Jersey heifer
of II months to Mr.. w. II. Cochran,
Centralia, last Saturday.
Everything about the milk cellar,
baking oven, wagon sheds, and harness
room, impressed us with that same
order and neatness found in the brew
cry. Messrs. Jacob Lutz & Bro. and
this brewing institution is certainly
marked with enterprise, and is bust
ness interest of which the city may
well feel proud.
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